AAA estimates more than 61 million people nationwide will travel by car for the holiday.
BEAUMONT, Texas — With Independence Day around the corner, AAA projects a record-breaking number of travelers will hit the roads this holiday weekend, urging Texans to prepare their vehicles before taking off.
AAA estimates more than 61 million people nationwide will travel by car for the holiday. Last year, the organization responded to thousands of stranded Texans. AAA spokesperson Doug Shupe said they expect even more travelers this year, with popular destinations along the Texas Gulf Coast drawing large crowds.
“They’ll be enjoying places like Galveston, like Corpus Christi and South Pottery Island, but also, you know, we’re anticipating that the Texas Hill Country will be very popular,” Shupe said.
Joshua Cortez, service manager at Cortez Car Care, said business has been brisk in recent days as drivers rush to get last-minute inspections before setting out.
“A lot of vehicles coming in, getting what seems like last minute checks in before they’re traveling,” Cortez said.
He emphasized the importance of checking tires, fluids and oil levels before making a long trip.
“Want to look over their tires first and foremost, uh, make sure you have good tire depth, good tire pressure, uh, you wanna look over your fluids, make sure your oil level’s good, uh, make sure, um, sometimes even if it’s close to being due, I’d recommend go ahead and get it done whenever you do that,” he said.
Last year, AAA handled more than 700,000 roadside emergencies nationwide during the July Fourth holiday week.
“The primary reasons why people called AAA for help were for dead batteries, flat tires, and then people getting locked out of their vehicles,” Shupe said.
Cortez reminded travelers to stay patient on crowded highways and focus on what they can control.
“A lot of people hit the roads for Fourth of July experience. They’ve been on the weekend, so just watch out for traffic and other drivers because it’s probably gonna be packed, but you can control what you control,” Cortez said.
There is at least one bright spot for drivers this year, gas prices. According to AAA, Texans are paying 23 cents less per gallon in Beaumont than they were last July Fourth, giving road trippers a bit of relief as they hit the highways.